Do you ever have one of those work days that just drags on and on? Yeah, today was that day for me. And all day I was actually looking forward to my trip the gym after work. How strange is that? Two years ago I never in a million years would have thought I would be the kind of person that actually *needed* workout time during my day. I look at my workouts as a way to de-stress and sort of unwind, however challenging they may be. I feel really great afterward, and I always feel like I’ve accomplished something.

My workout, and de-stresser for today was a five mile tempo run on the treadmill. Completed! I chose the treadmill this evening because of the heat wave we’ve been having…it was just too brutally hot for me to even attempt to run outside. Most of my runs the past few weeks have been done mainly on the road, and when I go back to running on the treadmill, it seems so much easier. The five miles were over in 51 minutes and they actually flew by.

Tonight was also one of those nights where I had no idea what to make for dinner. Nothing seemed appetizing. So, what should I do but make pancakes! I’ve been having pancake withdrawal lately…so I attempted banana chocolate chip pancakes!

Failed.

The pancakes wouldn’t stay together enough to flip, strangely enough. I have no idea why…other than the mix I used is a couple months old? I didn’t think it would go bad that quick…but I tried to salvage the rest of the pancakes.

Its all in the presentation!

So it isn’t round, who cares? It still tasted great. Especially with home made maple syrup drizzled on top!

I’m totally looking forward to my long weekend. Does anyone have any big plans this Labor Day? I’m going camping for the first time in years! I’m ready to become one with nature. Woohoo!

PS: There is still time to  enter my Chobani giveaway!!!! Hurry!!

Jen | Food, Running, Training | 09 2nd, 2010 | 1 Comment »

Did you enter my Chobani giveaway yet?? You have until September 6th at midnight! DO it!

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Notice anything different about my blog? I changed the header this morning in honor of the first day of September, and of course, the start of my favorite season, fall. Hope you like it! Although, it doesn’t feel much like fall right now, as the weather has been above 90 for the last few days. I was driving home tonight and summer is still in full force. Even though I’m excited for fall, I’m trying to savor the last bit of summer, because it will be gone so fast!

My training continued yesterday, with an easy three miler. I ran three miles on my treadmill in 30 minutes. Its so much easier to run inside when the weather isn’t cooperative.

My post-workout meal last night was scrambled eggs! These eggs actually came from my neighbor, who has five chickens. My parents were chicken sitting for them a few weeks ago, and got a dozen of their eggs in return! I made a scrambled egg wrap + salsa + cheese. The eggs + salsa combo is my new favorite. LOVE it.

Dessert was some Manna Bread! I haven’t tried all the flavors yet, but yesterday I was in the mood for Carrot Raisin.

It had very good carrot flavor, which I could taste, even after slathering TJ’s sunflower seed butter all over it!

Yum Yum.

And my breakfast this morning was even better!

The return of the Banana Scramble!

So good. And so satisfying! In the scramble:

• Oats
• Chia seeds
• Mashed banana
• Choc chips
• Coconut
• Peanut butter
• Almond milk

One of my favorite breakfasts!

Work was exciting today–we had a retirement party for one of my bosses. We had pizza! I had two slices + another unpictured slice of cheese.

There was also cake…which I didn’t partake in, but, I did have a cookie or two.

And that was that!

So, I now will leave you with a photo of what reminds me of late summer: bails of hay in the field across from my house. Fall is coming!

Jen | Cooking, Events, Running, Training | 09 1st, 2010 | 5 Comments »

Well, its that time again. I can’t believe August is already over. But, the good thing is, September is here and that means fall, also known as my favorite season.

Running

Total for the the month: 64.48 miles and 10:56:16 total time recorded. I started half-marathon training a few weeks ago and will be running 15-20 miles a week until October 10, 2010 where I will run my first half-marathon. I also ran my first (and only) trail run.

One Race

• On August 7, Chris and I ran the Chingachgook Challenge 10K in Lake George. This was my first official 10K and got an automatic PR, I finished in under an hour!

I was pretty busy all throughout August….

• I took my first hot yoga class in Saratoga with some new “blends”
• after our 10K Chris and I went to lunch at the Adirondack Pub & Brewery and played mini golf
• I went to NEW YORK CITY!
  • Part 1 Summer in the City – Day 1: Pancakes, Wine & Cupcakes
  • Part 2 Summer in the City – Day 1: Drinks at Macondo and the Spinto Band
  • Part 3 Summer in the City – Day 2: Kiss-In, Lush & Whole Foods Lunch
  • Part 4 Summer in the City – Day 2: Zen Palate and American Idiot
  • Part 5 Summer in the City – Day 3: Scones and Barbecue
• I had a day out at the track
• Chris and I had a rainy day in Boston
• I hosted my very first giveaway! (which you should check out if you want to win a club pack of Chobani. Don’t forget to enter!!)

So, I’ve had a really busy and fun summer. I’m going to revisit my summer goals in a later post to see how far I’ve gotten. I’m really excited for the next couple months. I have two races planned for september, along with some more traveling, on top of starting school again, so I will be pretty busy, but that’s a good thing.

Jen | Monthly Recap | 08 31st, 2010 | 5 Comments »

I’m really excited to have my first giveaway on my blog, but I will get to that in a little bit!

First, I had a protein smoothie this morning for the first time in a while! I figured I better have them now, before it starts getting to cold.

The magical ingredient: oats!

My lovely smoothie contained:

• 1/2 cup of almond milk
• 1 scoop of brown rice protein
• 1/2 tsp of maca powder
• handful of frozen strawberries
• 1/4 cup of oats

Thick and tasty!

In other news, my mom found this amazing find at a garage sale the other day. And no the cat was not included.

Can’t wait to try it out–its brand new (still in the packaging), and says it can make home made peanut butter in three minutes. We shall find out!

Okay, the time has come to have my first giveaway at Jen is Green! And I’m super excited about it because I really LOVE this product, and I know a lot of you do too. The lovely lovely people at Chobani have offered to give away a club pack of their fat free greek yogurt, which includes four of each of the strawberry, blueberry and peach flavors! One lucky winner will be chosen randomly.

Here is how to enter:

Leave a comment on my blog telling me your favorite flavor of Chobani greek yogurt.

Bonus entries:

Please leave a separate comment for each entry telling me you’ve done so.

1. Tweet this on twitter: Check out this awesome @Chobani giveaway on @JenIsGreen’s blog with a link back to this post.

2. “LIKE” Chobani on facebook.

3. Follow me on twitter!

4. Follow Chobani on twitter!

You have until Sept. 6th at midnight (one week!), to enter the contest! I will pick a winner at random on Sept. 7th!

GOOD LUCK!

Jen | Uncategorized | 08 30th, 2010 | 53 Comments »

This morning I had to do another long run, 7-8 miles. My goal was to go out and run seven, possibly eight if I was feeling up to it. I was feeling a bit unmotivated to get going, but eventually I made it out there at around 9:00.

But first, fuel!

I had a bagel thin + almond butter + banana with some water.

(yes, this is a recycled photo from my last long run, I eat the same thing!)

One of my tactics to attacking longer runs is to break it up into sections. I generally run an out and back route of two miles (two miles out, two back, equals four total), take a break at my house for a minute to get water+fuel, and head back out in the opposite direction and finish my run. Today after my pit stop I ran another two miles out and two miles back, equaling eight miles total.

At my break at mile four, I decided to try a Clif Shot. My rule is to only consume these for runs seven miles or longer. I can tell you, I think it really helped. It tasted like mocha frosting, very thick (you need to drink LOTS of water when eating these) and sugary.

I finished the last four miles pretty strong.

Stats

Total Distance – 8 miles
Total Elapsed Time – 1:23:30
Average Pace – 10:26
Average Speed – 5.7 mph
Calories Burned – 952

Splits

mile 1 – 10:28
mile 2 – 10:02
mile 3 – 11:06
mile 4 – 10:44
stopped home and took a clif shot + water
mile 5 – 11:01
mile 6 – 10:34
mile 7 – 10:15
mile 8 – 9:15

Phew! I love the feeling of going out for a certain number of miles and doing more than planned, it feels so great! Bring on the miles!

Post run eats. A yogurt mess. My other favorite.

In the mess: strawberry chobani + 1/2 cup of oats + handful of granola. Yummm.

After my run, I went to a family barbecue, where I ate lots of fresh fruit, veggies, a veggie burger, and a sliver of my mom’s home made cheesecake. And went for a dip in the pool. Had a great time with the fam! Enjoying summer before it’s over!

Jen | Food, Running, Training | 08 29th, 2010 | 4 Comments »